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Need help finding printer…
Ok I have a question for you guys here. I’m looking for a VERY INEXPENSIVE inkjet printer that will print on vinyl. this is for my own hobby projects I currently use laser or alps but I want to try a inkjet printer to do these designs for me. I’m talking like standard letter 8.5×11 inch sheets what’s the cheapest inkjet printer I can buy to print on smaller sheets of vinyl. thanks in advance for any help!
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10 Replies
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Not sure you’ll find anything at a reasonable price, you need To be looking for a solvent printer and they are still current so they hold their prices, also they tend to be large format machines.
The Alps printer should be ok anyway, just try a few different ribbons and vinyls.
I also think that there is a modified laser that can print onto vinyl, not sure if it’s a special vinyl for the printer though, they are being used for number plates.
Steve
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quote Stephen Morriss:Not sure you’ll find anything at a reasonable price, you need To be looking for a solvent printer and they are still current so they hold their prices, also they tend to be large format machines.The Alps printer should be ok anyway, just try a few different ribbons and vinyls.
I also think that there is a modified laser that can print onto vinyl, not sure if it’s a special vinyl for the printer though, they are being used for number plates.
Steve
well i can print black on vinyl with my lazer printer. but i wanted to try colors . do any of the cheaper epson line print on vnyil>?
problem i have with alps is i can only use clear laminate to protect the prints if i use like frog juice or any other liquid type it reacts with the ink and gives it a crack look .. hmm
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quote caseybarlo:well i can print black on vinyl with my lazer printer. but i wanted to try colors . do any of the cheaper epson line print on vnyil>?problem i have with alps is i can only use clear laminate to protect the prints if i use like frog juice or any other liquid type it reacts with the ink and gives it a crack look .. hmm
I played with an ALPS printer years ago (used basically same head as early Roland Color CAMM) and found that for the most part a clear laminate was the way to go. I did try clear laquer, building it up from a gentle dusting to a proper coat (3 or 4 sessions). Worked OK so long as you don’t get it too ‘wet’.
I’ve never seen a cheapo (eg. £30) inkjet that can print onto proper vinyl, (I’ve tried with normal inks) but surely if the cartridges could be filled with solvent inks & a dryer gently wafts over the print it MIGHT work… bit of R&D for somebody methinks!
Dave
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Let us know when you find a "cheap" printer for vinyl.
Roland or Cadet are now "cheap" compared with the equivelant from 5 years ago. If there was a small vinyl, full colour decal printer, that was low cost, low maitenance and easy to use, PC world would be selling them!Probably wont be long before they are though!
Peter
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quote Peter Normington:Let us know when you find a “cheap” printer for vinyl.
Roland or Cadet are now “cheap” compared with the equivelant from 5 years ago. If there was a small vinyl, full colour decal printer, that was low cost, low maitenance and easy to use, PC world would be selling them!Probably wont be long before they are though!
Peter
I was referring more so to the lower end Epson series like the 1800 when I said cheap I basically meant on the lower dollar scale etc… not like dirt cheap(generic) as I know most the printers like pc-600 are rather cheap in a sense now. but was looking for the best dollar value to a INKJET type around the lines of an Epson or the smallest inkjet to print on vinyl etc… thanks for the input
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We used to use a material from the magic touch to put through their modified laser, it was more like polyester though. I dont know if they have improved it yet.
http://www.themagictouch.co.uk
Peter
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can the Epson r1800 or the r2400 print on any type of vinyl at all, anyone know? also can anyone explain what’s different with ultrachrome ink as opposed to regular inks, I really need to educate myself on ink-jet lol
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With the Epson 1800 and 2400 you can print on coated vinyl. The inks are pigment. You should laminate the prints to help with fade and weather if intended for outside. I have an Epson print that is laminated and has been outside for over 2 years with no signs of fade. Hope this helps
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quote weston:With the Epson 1800 and 2400 you can print on coated vinyl. The inks are pigment. You should laminate the prints to help with fade and weather if intended for outside. I have an Epson print that is laminated and has been outside for over 2 years with no signs of fade. Hope this helps
where can "coated" vinyl be found at? whats the difrence with coated vinyl as oposed to regular 2.5mil vinyl?
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Coated vinyl has porous coating that enables water-based inks to grip to. There are many suppliers that carry coated vinyl, such as, Rexam, Sihl, IJ Technologies. Do a Google search for these and you’ll find plenty of info on coated vinyl.
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